WDW Railroad Closure?

[BogFam5]

We will be visiting WDW March 26-April 1, 2016. I called to make reservations for "The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour." The cast member told me that she couldn't find any times available during our stay, which usually means it will be closed during that time. On Disney's website, the last available date to schedule the tour is Friday, March 18, 2016. I've checked on several sites, none of which list the WDW Railroad as being closed. Anyone have any info?

 

[rteetz]

We will be visiting WDW March 26-April 1, 2016. I called to make reservations for "The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour." The cast member told me that she couldn't find any times available during our stay, which usually means it will be closed during that time. On Disney's website, the last available date to schedule the tour is Friday, March 18, 2016. I've checked on several sites, none of which list the WDW Railroad as being closed. Anyone have any info?

Usually the railroad closes for refurb in September I can't see them doing it in April with spring break crowds. I would keep checking.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Usually the railroad closes for refurb in September I can't see them doing it in April with spring break crowds. I would keep checking.

When I was at WDW this past October, the railroad was closed for refurbishment. Seems like it was scheduled to reopen right before Thanksgiving.

 

[rteetz]

When I was at WDW this past October, the railroad was closed for refurbishment. Seems like it was scheduled to reopen right before Thanksgiving.

Yes it usually closes in September and goes into October if not November depending on the refurb.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

All of the above is true, however a big part of the refurbishments on the Railroad lately is that they are re-railing all track. Meaning they are replacing all of the rails and updating switches and safety stuff.

I do not know if they are closing down in March, but this could be the reason they are.

AKK

 

[MrPTato]

I hope you can get a date for your trip...I have done this tour twice and it is great!

 

[zaccaglin]

I think the round house and switch yard is getting a remodel and upgrades in March. Seeing as that is part of the tour , that may be the reasoning of no tours.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I think the round house and switch yard is getting a remodel and upgrades in March. Seeing as that is part of the tour , that may be the reasoning of no tours.

I agree, this is possible as well, rails included. Of course the WDW round house is square an it has Monorails on top.

AKK

 

[zaccaglin]

I agree, this is possible as well, rails included. Of course the WDW round house is square an it has Monorails on top.

AKK

You are correct steam trains and fleet maintenance on the bottom, monorails on the top.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

OK WDW Steam Train tour quiz!

1. At what speed does the train run around the MK?

2. How long does it take on average person to become a Disney engineer?

3. From what country did the WDW engines come from and why were they available?

4. How many engines did Disney buy and why did WDW only end up with 3 operating engines at the start?

5. How did WDW representatives almost jinx the deal to purchase the engines and car lots of lots of spare parts?


AKK

 

[MrPTato]

1. 10mph
2. Don't remember
3. Trick question perhaps...Originally built in the US I believe, sent to Mexico and later sent back when Disney purchased.
4. 5 trains - 1 used for scrap and perhaps the other a boiler issue?
5. Not sure.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Ok the answers as I know them.

OK WDW Steam Train tour quiz!

1. At what speed does the train run around the MK?

YES 10 MPH is the average speed and 12 MPH is maximum. The reasons are to make the ride slow and enjoyable for the guests. It also keep boiler pressure below limits of OSH and saves on additional boiler tests and inspections.

2. How long does it take on average person to become a Disney engineer?

The average person who wants to become a engineer takes 6 months. They start on the platform loading guests and then are advanced to conductor (who is actually in charge of the train) and then start training as fireman and engineer.

3. From what country did the WDW engines come from and why were they available?

Of the original 6 engines, Most were Baldwin's, built in the USA and I believe 1 in Canada. They were operating as part of the Yucatan line of the Mexican National Railroad, in the Yucatan, hauling Sugar cane when the Railroad ended all steam operations. Which was just in time for the Disney search for the MK Railroad equipment.

4. How many engines did Disney buy and why did WDW only end up with 3 operating engines at the start?

As mentioned Disney brought 6 engines. One when is was being taken apart for rebuilding it was found to be in such poor shape, it was scrapped. Now the fun one. One additional engine, known as the *Disney Phantom engine* never was delivered to Disney. Seems while crossing the southern states on a railcar, the engine disappeared as some point.........it has never been found. Disney admits to buying 5 engines and to my knowledge doesn't admit to the legend of the missing engine.

5. How did WDW representatives almost jinx the deal to purchase the engines and car lots of lots of spare parts?

The Disney Railroad representatives traveled to the storage yards where all the retired steam engines and parts were stored. Picked what they wanted, the 5 engines and many car loads of parts. A price was agreed upon and the Disney reps. told the representatives of the Mexican Railroad (though the Translator), that they would arrange for railcars to be brought down from the states to move the engines and parts to Florida. WELLLLLL.... the translator listened to the Mexican Railroad representatives response and turned to the Disney people with a long face. The Disney people asked want was wrong???. The translator told the Disney people. If Disney wanted the engines and parts, the Mexican National Railroad would provide the railcars to move the engines and parts to Florida for Mr. Disney.

Wellll...... on the set date, everyone met at the yard and found a whole line of shiny and bright Mexican Railroad Cars on the track, awaiting loading and all with fresh paint still wet.

AKK

 

[jeepnjudy]

We will be visiting WDW March 26-April 1, 2016. I called to make reservations for "The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour." The cast member told me that she couldn't find any times available during our stay, which usually means it will be closed during that time. On Disney's website, the last available date to schedule the tour is Friday, March 18, 2016. I've checked on several sites, none of which list the WDW Railroad as being closed. Anyone have any info?

We tried to book this tour for the same timeframe and were told Disney does not offer this tour during especially high volume times such as Easter and Christmas due to logistics surrounding park opening.

 

[heywagners]

Does anyone have any idea why they make this a ages 10+ tour? My 8 year old is a train fanatic and is desperate to do this tour. I thought for sure this would be a kid friendly one?

 

[rteetz]

Does anyone have any idea why they make this a ages 10+ tour? My 8 year old is a train fanatic and is desperate to do this tour. I thought for sure this would be a kid friendly one?

They do go back stage to the train house which with a lot of tours they don't want young ones "outside of the magic" per say. I know that one of the major reasons the backstage magic tour is 16 and older. It's all about preserving the magic.

 

[zaccaglin]

Does anyone have any idea why they make this a ages 10+ tour? My 8 year old is a train fanatic and is desperate to do this tour. I thought for sure this would be a kid friendly one?

They do go back stage to the train house which with a lot of tours they don't want young ones "outside of the magic" per say. I know that one of the major reasons the backstage magic tour is 16 and older. It's all about preserving the magic.

For both the reasons Rteetz mentioned and that OSHA won't allow the little ones into the round house, it's still considered a work zone even tho the seize it all during a tour.

 

[mcjaco]

Ok the answers as I know them.

OK WDW Steam Train tour quiz!

1. At what speed does the train run around the MK?

YES 10 MPH is the average speed and 12 MPH is maximum. The reasons are to make the ride slow and enjoyable for the guests. It also keep boiler pressure below limits of OSH and saves on additional boiler tests and inspections.

That's a load of whooey. Boiler inspections are federally mandated. 15 years.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

That's a load of whooey. Boiler inspections are federally mandated. 15 years.

If the boilers operate at minimum pressure there are fewer inspections and tests. The type, number and timing of all boiler work is based not only on mandated tests and inspections, but also the design of the boilers
, age, operating pressure and work the boiler does, not to mention the results of previous inspections and tests.



AKK

 

[Spacedog1975]

I'll wildly speculate that Disney tends to run their own tests well above and beyond federal mandates. Slower speeds would allow them to feel more confident about time between in house tests.

 

[mcjaco]

If the boilers operate at minimum pressure there are fewer inspections and tests. The type, number and timing of all boiler work is based not only on mandated tests and inspections, but also the design of the boilers
, age, operating pressure and work the boiler does, not to mention the results of previous inspections and tests.

AKK

It's tied to Service Days, which is counted by boiler pressure during usage....so technically they're eliminating some inspections, but the FRA clearly regulates that it must be inspected every 15 years regardless.

A quote from the manual, to bore anyone not interested:

Finally, the 1978 standards required that a steam locomotive boiler be inspected, at a minimum, once each 5 calendar years (boiler interior to be inspected after 48 calendar months, within 5 consecutive years; and the boiler exterior to be inspected every 5 years, or, if the locomotive is out of service for at least one full month during that time, after 60 calendar months within 6 consecutive years). This inspection was a major one, requiring the removal of the jacket and lagging to conduct the exterior inspection, and the removal of all flues in the locomotive boiler to conduct a ‘‘minute’’ inspection of the interior of the boiler. FRA is amending this provision by requiring that these inspections be conducted when the locomotive has accrued 1472 service days or when a period not to exceed 15 years has elapsed since the last 1472 service day inspection was performed. These revisions are being made in order to take into account the amount of actual usage a steam locomotive receives. The 15 year maximum, beyond which time a 1472 service day inspection must be conducted, is based on the task force’s recommendations.